A sphere cake, also known as a ball cake or round cake, is a type of cake that is baked in a spherical or ball-shaped pan. These cakes are typically assembled by joining two halves together to create a round, 3D shape resembling a sphere. Sphere cakes can be decorated and customized in various ways, such as frosting, fondant covering, or decorative elements like flowers, figurines, or edible paint. They are popular for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or other celebrations, and they offer a unique and visually striking presentation compared to traditional layered cakes. When making a sphere cake, it’s necessary to be more careful with your choice of cake recipe and frosting due to several reasons:
Structural Integrity: Sphere cakes require a sturdy and stable cake recipe that can hold its shape well. A cake that is too light or delicate may crumble or break when assembling the two halves. Even Baking: Since sphere cakes are baked in two halves, it’s important to use a recipe that bakes evenly to ensure both halves are the same size and shape. Frosting Consistency: The frosting used for a sphere cake needs to be thick enough to hold the two halves together and smooth enough to create a seamless finish. A frosting that is too thin or runny may not provide enough support. Aesthetic Appeal: Sphere cakes are often decorated with fondant or other decorative elements, so the choice of frosting should complement the overall design and theme of the cake. Flavor Balance: Since sphere cakes have a larger surface area compared to traditional cakes, it’s important to use a flavorful frosting that complements the cake without overpowering it.
Overall, choosing the right cake recipe and frosting is essential for creating a visually appealing and structurally sound sphere cake.
So which is the best sphere cake recipe?
Ideally, for a sphere cake – you need a firm, slightly more dense cake. And yet, not all dense cakes are dry!! A classic sponge cake, for example, is more firm and dense compared to a light sponge or a chiffon cake.
Versatility: The recipe allows for the creation of both vanilla and chocolate cakes, offering a choice for those who enjoy different flavors. Simplicity: The recipe uses basic ingredients that are easy to find and simple to work with, making it accessible for beginner bakers. Moist and Flavorful: The combination of butter and milk in the recipe helps create a moist and flavorful cake that is enjoyable to eat. Customization: The recipe can be easily customized with additional ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or chocolate chips to suit individual tastes. Texture: The use of baking powder and baking soda in the recipe helps create a light and fluffy texture that is pleasing to the palate. Presentation: The cakes baked in a ball pan can be assembled to create a visually appealing sphere cake, perfect for special occasions or celebrations. The main ingredient here is butter. Therefore, I highly recommend using a butter-based cake. First, they have a more robust structure and texture than an oil-based cake. In addition, when you frost with butter the butter sets, making it easier to work. Also, if you frost with ganache, the chocolate sets make it easier to work.
You remember this one? If you are interested, I shared a little more details on how I made this cake in my post-Barcelona Soccer Ball Cake
Ingredients and substitutes
All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cake. Substitute with cake flour for a lighter texture or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option. Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise. There are no direct substitutes, but make sure they are fresh for best results. Salt: Enhances flavor. Use kosher salt or sea salt as a substitute. Butter: Adds richness and flavor. Substitute with margarine or vegetable shortening, but the flavor and texture may be affected. Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with tenderness. Substitute with an equal amount of brown sugar or coconut sugar for a different flavor. Eggs: Provide structure and stability. Substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flaxseed/water mixture for a vegan option. Milk: Adds moisture and richness. Substitute with dairy-free milk like almond, soy, or oat milk for a dairy-free option. Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake. Substitute with an equal amount of almond extract or other flavored extracts for a different flavor profile. Unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides the chocolate flavor in the chocolate cake. Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper flavor, or substitute with cacao powder for a less processed option. Vegetable oil: Adds moisture to the chocolate cake. Substitute with melted coconut oil or canola oil for a similar effect.
Step-by-step: Sphere cake recipes
Preheat your oven to 350°F /175°C/ Gas mark 4 and prepare two ball pans by greasing and flouring them.
Vanilla cake batter
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Chocolate cake batter
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Bake
Fill each half of the ball pans with the respective batters, spreading them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once the cakes are completely cooled, trim the tops to create flat surfaces if necessary. Join the two halves of each cake together with a thin layer of frosting or ganache. Decorate the sphere cakes as desired.
Is it necessary to use a ball pan to make a sphere cake?
While a ball pan is commonly used to make sphere cakes, it is not absolutely necessary. There are several alternative methods you can use to achieve a spherical shape:
Mixing Bowl Method: You can bake two half-sphere cakes using oven-safe mixing bowls. Grease and flour the bowls, fill them with cake batter, and bake. Make sure to adjust the baking time as mixing bowls may conduct heat differently than ball pans. Cake Pans and Carving: Bake two round cakes in regular cake pans. Once cooled, level the cakes and stack them on top of each other. Then, carve the stacked cakes into a spherical shape using a sharp knife. Cake Rings: Use cake rings placed on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to bake thin cake layers. Stack the baked layers with frosting to create a spherical shape. Cake Pop Molds: Use silicone cake pop molds to bake small cake spheres. Combine a large batch of cake pop mixture to create a larger sphere cake. Sculpted Cake Layers: Bake flat cake layers and stack them, gradually reducing the diameter of each layer to create a dome shape.
Each method has its own challenges and may require some experimentation to get the desired shape and size. Adjusting baking times and temperatures may be necessary depending on the method used.
What is the best frosting to use with ball pan cakes?
The best frosting to use when making a sphere cake depends on personal preference and the desired outcome. However, a frosting that is thick, stable, and easy to work with is generally recommended. Here are a few options:
Buttercream Frosting: Buttercream is a popular choice for sphere cakes because it is easy to work with, holds its shape well, and can be easily colored and flavored. It also has a smooth texture that is perfect for decorating. Ganache: Ganache is another good option for sphere cakes, especially if you want a rich, chocolatey frosting. Ganache sets up firm, which can help hold the cake together, but it can be a bit more challenging to work with than buttercream. Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream cheese frosting is another great option, especially if you want a slightly tangy flavor. It is soft and creamy, making it easy to spread and work with. Best used with a minimalistic style for decorations. Fondant: Fondant can be used to cover a sphere cake for a smooth, professional-looking finish. However, fondant can be challenging to work with and may not be as flavorful as buttercream or ganache.
Tips for success:
Prepare the Pan Properly: Grease and flour the ball pan thoroughly to ensure the cakes release easily after baking. Evenly Fill the Pan: Fill each half of the ball pan with an equal amount of batter to ensure the cakes bake evenly and are the same size. Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes to check for doneness. The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs when the cakes are ready. Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pan before removing them. This helps them set and maintain their shape. Level the Cakes: Trim the tops of the cakes if necessary to create flat surfaces for easier assembly. Use a Sturdy Frosting: Use a thick and stable frosting to hold the two halves of the cake together. You can also use a dowel rod through the center of the cake for added support. Decorate Carefully: Handle the assembled cake with care when decorating to avoid damaging the shape. Chill Before Serving: For best results, chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to help it set and hold its shape.
Cake Decorating Recipes for Every Cake Decorator How to Carve a Pumpkin Cake Pokemon Cake with Pikachu Cake Topper Mom’s Vanilla Cake Recipe Rice Krispy Treats for Cake Decorating
Frequently asked questions
Creative variations
Neapolitan Cake: Use the vanilla cake for one half and add a layer of strawberry cake for the other half to create a Neapolitan-inspired cake. Alternate layers of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry frosting for a fun twist. Marble Cake: Instead of baking separate vanilla and chocolate cakes, marble the two batters together in each half of the ball pan for a swirled effect. Hidden Surprise Cake: Fill the center of the sphere cake with candies, sprinkles, or a different flavored cake before assembling the two halves for a hidden surprise when the cake is cut. Rainbow Cake: Use different colored batters (such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) to create a rainbow effect in each half of the sphere cake. Tiramisu Cake: Soak the vanilla cake layers with coffee and rum syrup, and layer them with a mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder mixture for a delicious tiramisu-inspired cake. Candyland Cake: Decorate the outside of the sphere cake with colorful candies, chocolates, and sprinkles to create a whimsical Candy land-themed cake. Ice Cream Cone Cake: Top the assembled sphere cake with a sugar cone to create the illusion of an ice cream cone. Decorate with frosting “scoops” and sprinkles.
Here are some creative ways to use a ball pan cake:
Animal Shapes: Use the round shape of the ball pan cake to create animal shapes like a ladybug, owl, or hedgehog. Decorate with frosting and fondant to bring the animals to life. Sports Balls: Use the ball pan cake to create sports balls like a basketball, baseball, or soccer ball. Decorate with frosting or fondant to resemble the texture and markings of the ball. Fruit or Vegetable Shapes: Use the ball pan cake to create fruit or vegetable shapes like an apple, tomato, or pumpkin. Decorate with frosting and food coloring to achieve the desired look. Earth Cake: Use the ball pan cake to create a mini replica of the Earth. Decorate with blue and green frosting to represent the oceans and continents. Space-themed Cake: Use the ball pan cake as a base to create a space-themed cake. Decorate with frosting, sprinkles, and edible glitter to resemble a planet or a spaceship. Robot Cake: Use the ball pan cake to create the body of a robot. Add fondant or candy decorations to create the robot’s features and limbs. Baby Bump Cake: Use the ball pan cake to create a baby bump cake for a baby shower. Decorate with frosting and fondant to add details like a baby’s face, hands, and feet.
Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later. You can find my recipes on Pinterest. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Subscribe, and I’ll send you new recipes right to your inbox.
Thank you for sharing - Save for later